To Love and Be Loved(50)

The roaring fire of passion and desire he had felt for Merrin was now no more than the smallest glow of an ember, but as long as it was there at all it was hard to see Merrin’s sister as anything other than a good mate. So what that he and Ruby had kissed once up at Reunion Point? A good kiss, actually, a surprisingly good kiss, but one fuelled by cider and so surely it didn’t really count. Scouring the headlines as he walked in the cold morning air, he stopped in his tracks at the sight of Ruby on the harbour wall, deep in conversation with Bella.

He combed his unruly hair with his fingers, as Ruby turned and called to him.

‘Jarv!’

‘All right?’ he called back with his nerves jangling. Hoping he didn’t blush or stare, he walked in a deliberate fashion towards the duo, who whispered in the way they always did, like witches plotting. He smiled, reminded in that moment of what it had been like to see the two of them with Merrin; the village was poorer for the loss of the atmosphere the trio had created. The last time he had seen them all together, Merrin had looked destroyed, lost, and Ruby had been distracted, prowling and incensed by the Mortimers’ treatment of her sister. Not that he blamed her; that was what you did: stood by those you loved. His admiration for Ruby had in fact grown because of how fiercely she loved and protected her family. It was still beyond him how a bloke like Digby the dickhead could throw away a woman like Merrin. But as his mother liked to remind him, ‘Love can be fickle and your feelings for the object of your desire can turn on a sixpence into something a lot like loathing . . .’

He’d have to take her word for it. Walking towards the wall, he watched the two women, who, with furrowed brows, were once again deep in conversation. Maybe they had heard about old Guthrie Mortimer. As he approached, the sun punched a hole in the clouds and peeped its head through, showering light that lit the whole cove. He slowed and felt his heart give a little rhumba, recognising the feeling in his veins as one of longing. And all at no more than the sight of this girl . . . This girl, with the bright smile and her thick, long hair resting over her shoulder, was something else. Ruby, who had been under his nose his whole life, who had been by his side since they were kids and who had punched him in the mouth when he had dared laugh at her wonky haircut.

‘Glad you’re here, Jarv.’ She smiled and her words warmed him. ‘Gran’s been taken ill.’

‘Ellen? Oh no, she all right?’

‘Not really.’ Ruby ran her fingers across her forehead, suggesting a headache might be lurking there. ‘She’s been taken to Truro Hospital; she’s proper poorly.’

‘Is there anything I can do?’ He folded the paper under his arm and reached for his van keys.

Ruby shook her head and Bella squeezed her hand.

‘Don’t think so.’ She gave a grateful smile.

‘Did they say what it might be or if it was serious?’

Ruby held his gaze, her eyes teary. ‘She had a water infection and they thought she might just need antibiotics. Anyway, Dr Levington came out and she was very confused and had a high temperature and they’ve taken her in, more as a precaution, I think. Mum and Dad have gone with her. I’m just about to call Merrin and tell her.’

‘She’s one tough old bird is Ellen Kellow. Don’t you worry.’

He liked how Bella tried to soothe her friend’s anguish.

‘You want me to drive you to the hospital?’ He displayed the keys in his palm, knowing he would do anything for this girl who so loved her family.

She shook her head. ‘Mum said it wouldn’t do for us all to crowd the place when the nurses and whatnot are trying to do their job. I’m going to stay here.’

‘I got to go,’ Bella sighed. ‘Who knows how much longer Luuk will be here before he gets the call and has to take off. Let me know how Granny Kellow is.’

Ruby nodded. ‘’Course.’

‘Are you going to miss him?’ Jarvis teased.

Her response, however, was anything but jovial. Bella hopped off the wall and stared at him with tears in her eyes. Then, putting her hand flat over her heart and with a voice shot through with emotion, she said, ‘More than I can possibly say, Jarv.’ Then she turned and walked briskly up the road.

‘Reckon she’s got it bad,’ Ruby observed, as she, too, jumped down on to the cobbles.

‘It happens. And often when you least expect it. Do you know what I mean?’ He held her gaze as his heart thudded.

‘’Appen I do know what you mean.’ The corners of her mouth lifted in a half-smile. Her question when it came was quiet. ‘Will you . . . will you stay here with me today, Jarv? I don’t want to be on my own.’

‘’Course I will.’ He reached for her hand, which fitted nicely inside his own.

‘We can go shopping another day.’

‘We can that.’

As they stepped over the threshold of Kellow Cottages, he smiled at her; this loud-mouthed beauty stood out to him like something brightly painted in a world of sepia. It was in that moment he realised that he had been holding a candle for a memory, not a person. Merrin was an idea, but her sister . . . she was the real deal. It was true, there were many things he missed when he was on the water, but mainly, he now saw with clarity, what he missed was Ruby Mae.





CHAPTER TWELVE